South Dakota’s three major candidates for governor each came close to raising $1 million in 2017, giving them enough money to fund competitive campaigns in this year’s election.

Attorney General Marty Jackley reported $920,000 while Rep. Kristi Noem reported just over $900,000. Both are running for the Republican nomination in the June primary. Jackley also claimed an additional $118,000 by the political action committee Friends of Marty Jackley.

State Sen. Billie Sutton’s campaign reported nearly $830,000. Sutton is the only Democrat in the race.

All three totals represent strong showings and foreshadow energetic campaigns, starting first with the contest between Noem and Jackley.

“We have open seats and that means it’s very competitive and people want to get involved,” said Joel Rosenthal, a former chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party and a longtime observer of state politics..

The reports filed with the Secretary of State’s Office were for campaign contributions made by individuals, political action committees and other candidates during the year.

Two other candidates, Terry Lee LaFleur and Lora Hubbel, filed reports showing next to no money raised.

While Jackley edged Noem in 2017 donations, Noem still held a nearly $600,000 advantage in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period -- $2.1 million to Jackley’s $1.5 million. Sutton, meanwhile, had $664,000.

“One thing that money will do is get more people out to vote,” Rosenthal said.

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Jay Pickthorn/Argus LeaderState Sen. Billie Sutton, right, and Rep. Mark Mickelson are shown at past downtown Sioux Falls Rotary meeting. Sutton is running for governor of South Dakota and hopes to break the GOP’s longest running hold on a governor’s seat in the country. State Sen. Billie Sutton (right) and Rep. Mark Mickelson make their final appeals for their respected political parties during the downtown Sioux Falls Rotary meeting on Monday at the Holiday Inn City Centre.(Photo: Jay Pickthorn/Argus Leader)

Jackley reported $812,002 in itemized contributions from individuals to Noem’s $695,659. Jackley also reported an additional $27,000 in donated goods or services.

“This is a campaign by South Dakotans for South Dakotans,” Jackley said in a release. “The outpouring of support from across the state is humbling, and the fact that nearly all of our donations have come from South Dakota shows just how much momentum we have moving forward.”

Noem said she was grateful for the support and encouragement she received from across South Dakota.

“Thousands of people have contributed their hard-earned money, their precious time, and their prayers to our campaign in the past year,” she said in a statement. “We are leading the race in cash on hand, and we plan to lead in votes and support on June 5th."

Sutton, who released his report ahead of the Republican contenders, had $383,580 in itemized contributions from individuals. He also received $100,000 from the campaign account of former U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson.

“This campaign is about returning power to the people of our state,” he said in a release. “That is why it is so fitting that the people are powering this campaign. My support comes from all kinds of people, across the state, and across party lines. What is common among them is our shared desire to build a stronger South Dakota around our shared South Dakota values of hard work, honesty, and integrity.”

Reach Jonathan Ellis at 605-575-3629, jonellis@argusleader.com or on Twitter: @argusjellis.